Ofcom has today revoked the four adult channel broadcast licences owned by Bang Channels and Bang Media for "numerous and repeated breaches" of standards.

In July, the media regulator fined the two broadcasters a total of £157,250 for repeatedly airing adult material for "the sole purpose of sexual stimulation". Footage included simulated masturbation and oral sex, including close-ups of genital and anal detail.

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The fine followed a series of rebukes from Ofcom for Bang Channels, which operates the bouquet of three Tease Me channels on the Sky platform, and Bang Media, which owns and operates the Tease Me TV service on Freeview.

Today, the media regulator noted that, despite the imposition of statutory sanctions, the two broadcasters had "demonstrated a disregard for their licence obligations, including their obligation to comply with the [Broadcasting] Code".

Ofcom found a further nine breaches of its guidelines in material broadcast on the Tease Me TV channels between November 9 and 16, representing an "unprecedented" level of transgression by a broadcaster.

As financial penalties do not appear to deter Bang Channels or Bang Media, Ofcom has decided to revoke their licences after judging them not to be "fit and proper persons" to hold the status of licensed operators in the UK.

"In reaching this view, Ofcom has been mindful both of its duties to ensure that viewers are protected from harmful and offensive material and of the need to ensure that the freedom of expression of broadcasters is respected," said the watchdog.

"In this case, the actions of the licensees have gone well beyond what is considered acceptable under the Broadcasting Code or the BCAP Code."

It added: "The Licensees have not responded to any other regulatory action and Ofcom considers that it must act promptly in accordance with its duties. Ofcom is therefore revoking all the licences held by the licensees with immediate effect on the basis that they are no longer fit and proper to hold those licences.

"Should the licensees continue to provide a relevant regulated television service they will be guilty of a criminal offence under section 13(1) of the 1990 Act."